Velocipede structure



y 9, 1939- s. A. SNELL 2,157,971

VELOC I PEDE STRUCTURE Filed April 5, 1957 FIG.5.

INVENTOR SAMUEL A. SNELL a Q a ATTORNEYS Patented May 9, 1939 PATENT OFFICE VELOCIPEDE STRUCTURE Samuel A. Snell, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to The American-National Company, Toledo, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application April 5, 1937, Serial No. 135,155

8 Claims.

This invention relates generally to juvenile vehicles and refers more particularly to velocipedes.

One of the essential objects of the invention is to provide a velocipede wherein the backbone has a flexible portion that will effectively cushion the rider from road shocks and jars and will materially improve the riding qualities.

Another object is to provide a velocipede that is strong and durable and can be manufactured at a comparatively low cost.

ther objects, advantages and novel details of construction of this invention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a side elevation of a velocipede embodying my invention, with parts broken away and in section;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken sub-stantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the backbone;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of a slight modification, with parts broken away and in section;

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 4.

Referring now to the drawing, A is the backbone, B is the front fork, O is the handlebar, and D is the rear platform of a velocipede embodying my invention. As shown, the backbone A constitutes a frame member between the front fork B and the rear platform D and preferably comprises a casting l and a strip 2 of spring steel. The casting l is mounted upon an upright portion 3 of the front fork, and the strip 2 is imbedded in said casting and has an open returnbent portion 4 fastened to the rear platform D. Anchored in the strip 2 just in rear of the casting I is a bushing 5 that carries the supporting post 5 for a seat I. A set screw 8 carried by the bushing 5 is adapted to hold the post 6 in adjusted position, An axle 9 for the front wheel I is carried by the fork B, while an axle II for the rear wheel I2 is carried by the platform D. In this construction the platform D also carries a pair of step plates l3 and M, respectively.

In Figures 4 and I have illustrated a slight modification in which the strip 20 terminates just in advance of the seat post 2| and is received in a rearwardly opening substantially U-shaped bracket 22 disposed between the end portions 23 and 24 respectively of rearwardly converging substantially channel-shaped member 25 and 25 carried by a tube 21 on the front fork 28 of the velocipede. As shown a bushing 29 extends through the end portions 23 and 24 of the members 25 and 26 and through the arms of the U-shaped member 22 and the strip 2!! and cooperates with one or more rivets 30 to hold the parts together. The 5 return-bent portion 4 preferably extends through a depending flange 3| of the platform 32 and has a substantially U-shaped portion 33 for receiving the rear axle 34, while a washer 35 is mounted upon the platform 32 and has an arched l0 portion 35 receiving a correspondingly arched portion 3'! of the platform 32. Bolts 38 extend through the washer 35, platform 32 and returnbent portion 4 of the backbone and are engaged beneath said portion by nuts 39 to hold the parts together.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a velocipede, a backbone having two elongated sections, one comprising a pair of rearwardly converging pressed metal members having aligned openings adjacent their forward ends for receiving an upright portion of a front fork, the second section extending endwise from the first section and being attachable to a rear axle or platform, the second section being a strip of spring steel and having one end thereof between and rigid with portions of the first mentioned section. v

2. In a velocipede, a backbone having vertically spaced, rearwardly converging, pressed metal portions attachable at their forward ends to an upright part of a front fork, provided adjacent the point they converge with a coupling constituting a holder for a seat post, and having a portion extending rearwardly from the coupling and attachable to a rear axle or platform.

37 In a velocipede, a backbone having vertically spaced, rearwardly converging portions attachable at their forward ends to an upright part of a front fork and having a single portion ex- 40 tending rearwardly from the point the portions aforesaid converge and attachable to a rear axle or platform, and means connecting together the converging portions adjacent the point they converge.

4. In a velocipede, a backbone having vertically spaced, rearwardly converging portions attachable at their forward ends to an upright part of a front fork and having a single portion extending rearwardly from the point the portions aforesaid converge and attachable at its rear end to a rear axle or platform, and a connection between said converging portions adjacent the point they converge providing a holder for a seat post.

5. In a velocipede, a back bone having for engagement with an upright part of a front fork cooperating members having portions in contiguous relation and having a rearward extension for engagement With a rear axle or platform, and a single means connecting together said contiguous portions and forming a socket-like holder for a seat post.

6. In a velocipede, a backbone. having vertically spaced, rearwardly converging members attachable at their forward ends to an upright part of a front fork, and means connecting together said members at the point they converge and providing a socket-like holder for a: seat post.

7. In a velocipede, a backbone having vertically spaced, rearwardly converging members attachable at their forward ends to an upright part of a front fork, a single member disposed between the members aforesaid and constituting a rearward extension thereof for attachment to a rear axle or platform, and a single means connecting together the single and converging members and providing a holder for a seat post.

8. In a velocipede, a backbone having a pair of rearwardly converging members attachable at their forward ends to a front fork and provided at the point they converge with registering openings, a single member projecting rearwardly from said converging members and attachable to a rear axle or platform, said single member having an opening registering with the openings aforesaid, and a socket-like holder for a seat post engaging the registering openings in the members aforesaid.

SAMUEL A. SNELL. 

